by Love, Dianna
Daegan squeezed her shoulder. “’Twas an interestin’ poem, lass. Do ya have another?”
“No. I thought that was the best one to use.” She tried to turn so they could start back.
Crack. A tiny sound she barely heard above her breathing froze her. She whispered, “Did you hear that?”
“Yes.” He pulled his hand from her shoulder and touched the walls on each side of her head. “I do not feel any vibration.”
Crack. Crack. She held her breath. CRACK!
She looked around to see fissures rupturing the wall. “I don’t think this is what we were hoping for, Daegan.”
He snaked an arm around her chest.
Her brain would normally be shouting at her to not allow this stranger to touch her so intimately, but she welcomed his strength and determination to protect her.
With every crack sound in the wall, her faith in surviving this diminished. She fought for air, sucked in the rising dust.
Then the walls on each side shifted.
What the hell?
The shifting changed to moving from side to side faster.
Daegan’s grip tightened. He lifted the backpack over her head and shoved it in front of her, shouting, “Hold the—”
A loud crack sounded like a gunshot.
The ground fell away.
Chapter 17
Daegan held Luigsech and her backpack as the world slid out from beneath his feet. He’d shoved the pack in front to protect her, but also for the lass to hold.
That would have freed his hands to use kinetics.
The shearing sound of rocks and sand screamed. A deafening roar of noise rushed around him. Light flashed then darkness, then light again.
Ruadh shouted in Daegan’s head. Shift. Break free. Fly away!
Daegan doubted if he had the power. Neither would he risk a change only for the mountain to collapse and crush his dragon in mid-shift.
Then everything turned upside down.
Luigsech screamed.
Daegan had her against him in an iron grip and clutched the pack to her front.
He fell through a hellhole with no bottom. Regret over bringing the lass to do this hit him hard. He had promised to keep her safe. If he could not protect one small lass, how could he protect a world full of Beladors, their allies, and those in Treoir?
His world tumbled and flipped.
He bounced against rock and landed hard.
Everything stopped as suddenly as it had started.
Daegan lay on his side with his arms around the lass and her backpack. He spit out dust and grit. He could feel her breathing, but she had not spoken. “Are ya hurt, lass?”
She mumbled something he couldn’t figure out.
“What say ya?”
She drew a deep breath. On the exhale, she said, “I want off this ride.”
He had no idea what she spoke of, but he smiled because she’d said it in that sarcastic voice of hers. She would be fine.
Pulling a hand free, he wiped dust and pebbles off her hair. “If ya have no broken bones, I shall sit ya up.”
“Sounds like a plan,” she muttered.
He lifted her as he swung his upper body off the ground. Pulling the backpack away from her chest, he placed it next to his body. Grit irritated his eyes. He blinked, washing them best he could, then squinted.
They were in what appeared to be a tunnel.
Light glowed at the end.
He wished to believe that to be a good sign, but had his reservations.
“Where are we?” She started brushing her hair off her face and spit out a few pieces of grit. “Oh, crap.”
“What?”
“I’d like to think there was a light at the end of this tunnel for a good reason, but with the way things are going it could be a train headed for us.”
He dropped his forehead to the back of her head, chuckling. “Your wit is welcome, but I am not so sure I would welcome a train.”
Her shoulder shook with laughing. “You’re screwed up, you know that?”
He took no insult as the words were given with a smile in her voice. “’Tis possible is true.”
She twisted around. “You agree?”
“If I were not screwed up, as ya say, would I be sittin’ inside a mountain with no way out after havin’ followed a lass?”
She rolled her eyes. “You always turn it back on me.”
When she began moving to stand, he lifted her to her feet. Then he stood and picked up the backpack to hook over one shoulder.
“I’ll take it,” she offered.
“Are ya really not goin’ to trust me with your pack after what I have dragged it through?”
“Point taken. Thanks.” She lowered her hand and turned toward the light. “Let’s see where this leads us. I would say it can’t get any worse, but I’d end up eating those words in ten feet.”
He smiled. His snappy termagant had survived.
She paused when she reached the mouth of the tunnel then stepped out where a soft glow washed over her body. “This is ... not possible.”
Daegan followed close on her heels, in a hurry to check for any danger.
They stood at the edge of a round cavern fifty feet across with polished walls rising to a point thirty feet above them. The walls were a mixed painting of cream, beige, black, orange, and cherry as if someone had carved through layers and sanded them to a smooth finish.
Translucent crystals sunken sporadically into the curved wall flickered with light. In the center of the floor, a spring bubbled gently in a pool Daegan could reach across with his arms extended.
“Wow.” Luigsech’s head tilted back. “I’ve experienced my share of supernatural events and beings, but this really blows my mind.”
“Where is the oracle?” Daegan asked. Hadn’t they just opened a door of some sort?
“We have to wait for her to come to us.” Luigsech turned to him. “The professor explained what to do if we passed through the door. I’m thinkin’ we just did that.”
“What is next then?”
“We are to sit quietly and contemplate what we will ask for, because she will only allow us one request.”
Just being in this small enclosed space with no way out reminded Daegan of centuries spent locked in the TÅμr Medb realm in the shape of a throne.
He would sit, but he could not promise for how long.
He waited for Luigsech to make a move.
She stepped carefully over to a spot near the gurgling water and sat with her legs crossed. She tossed him a look and patted a space next to her.
Daegan took his place, pulling his knees up to rest his hands on.
She extended her arms in front of her with her palms up. Her thumb and pointing finger on each hand touched. Then she closed her eyes.
Did she expect him to do the same?
He put a forearm across his knees and dropped his chin on his arm. His other hand went to the hard ground where he moved his fingers in a tapping motion over and over.
What was happening in Atlanta?
Had he lost any more people to the Imortiks?
Was Quinn having any luck with the Tribunal?
How was Brina and her babes?
Luigsech’s hand covered his fingers, stopping their movement. She squeezed his fingers.
Energy hummed in a pleasant way between them.
He watched her face.
Without opening her eyes, she leaned over and whispered, “Quiet your mind, Daegan. We can’t find anythin’ unless we pass this test and she allows us to ask our question. We have to do this together or she won’t speak to us.”
Had the lass heard his loud thoughts or just sensed his nonstop distress to get this done and protect everyone?
She kept her hand on his, waiting on him to do his part.
He let out a long breath and closed his eyes.
Energy continued to whir beneath her fingers. His internal power swarmed to her hand. He focused on their two energies. What was it
about her that drew his to the surface as if curious? Who was this woman? In spite of always battling him, he found her attractive. She called to the man in him who longed for a normal life to spend time with a woman who made him feel alive again. Where had that foolish thought come from when in the middle of this mess?
He should not be thinking of her in those terms anyhow.
They would find the grimoire and part ways, her back to her life and him to his.
As his body let go of things he could not affect while here, his thoughts relaxed.
He considered dream walking.
A strong female voice said, “You are here for an answer. Take care with your question.”
Daegan opened his eyes slowly, feeling as if he’d rested a full night. The lass came into view first. She smiled politely and slid her hand from his. Reassured that she was fine, he lifted his head, ready to speak.
His first glimpse of the oracle stunned him.
She had no hair on her round head. Fine lines had been drawn on every visible inch of her skin, including her face. Shiny material draped her body held at her shoulders by tiny gold clasps with looped chains of gold.
The cloth was not cloth.
More like a waterfall stolen from a full-moon night. Beneath the draping, her legs appeared to be crossed.
Her lips were a red-brown, wide and full.
Beyond all other features, her eyes stood out against honey-colored skin. The orbs swirled with gold and black at first. Now her eyes became solid dark orange with white irises.
Luigsech’s mouth had opened, but she failed to utter a word.
The oracle angled her head at the lass. “I am Zeelindar. You have answers to questions you know not to ask.”
What the hell did that mean?
Luigsech closed her mouth, frowning. She said nothing to push this oracle in case she had more to say. Turned out she did.
Those bright eyes moved to Daegan. “You search for more than you know.”
That should be understood since he and the lass had made this unimaginable trip to find out what they didn’t know. The oracle had a clear voice with no emotion.
She spoke with the assurance of one who expected others to sit up and pay heed.
He cut his eyes to Luigsech.
She nodded, a safe option when in doubt.
Zeelindar’s mouth widened in a smile. Her lips parted slightly. Tips of sharp teeth appeared.
He’d thought oracles were human.
As Zeelindar studied Daegan with what seemed to be unseeing eyes, she continued speaking. “Every journey is the beginning of a journey ending. You must take each step to reach the end and the beginning.”
Riddles were not Daegan’s strength. He kept his face blank of expression, allowing this oracle to set the pace of the meeting.
Zeelindar swept her gaze across both of them. “Ask your question. Be prepared to pay a price.”
Casidhe’s mouth dropped open. Evidently her professor had failed to share that important detail. Would the oracle require treasure or a sacrifice?
Finally finding her voice, Luigsech asked, “Are you sayin’ you want somethin’ like a human sacrifice?”
“Have I asked for such?”
“No, I just wanted to find out what we were obligatin’ for.”
“Is there a price you would not pay to find what you seek?”
Luigsech didn’t answer right away.
Daegan did. “There is no price within reason I am unwillin’ to pay personally, but I shall not kill another to gain this knowledge.”
Nodding slowly, Zeelindar said, “As it should be.”
Her words echoed softly off the walls similar to soft chimes ringing.
Shoulders slumping in relief, Luigsech said, “We thank you for this audience, Zeelindar. We seek somethin’ hidden long ago that will help us save many people.”
“Your reason is your own,” the oracle stated bluntly.
Clearing her throat, the lass kept going. “We ask for help locatin’ a volume of the Immortuos Grimoire hidden over two thousand years ago by one of the dragon clans, but not the volume locked in a vault a thousand years ago.”
Daegan had not realized how much Luigsech had learned during her meeting with the professor. Did she know which grimoire volume was locked in VIPER’s vault?
The oracle had not moved or spoken.
Nothing happened.
Casidhe cut her eyes at Daegan.
He shrugged. He had no idea what this oracle wanted next.
Zeelindar cupped her hands and lifted her chin until she stared straight up. He glanced there, but she looked at something only she could see. Her lips began moving, whispering soft sounds.
Daegan recognized nothing she said. Luigsech seemed just as perplexed.
The air moved slowly. Lights sparkled and blurred.
Time had no relevance here. Daegan couldn’t say if they’d been sitting here ten minutes, an hour, or more, when the oracle paused in her murmurings.
She lowered her head and placed a hand on each knee, addressing them both. “You will bring me the Scepter of Dagobert for the information you require.”
Daegan had no knowledge of this scepter. He dove ahead with the most important part of this. “But ya do know where the grimoire volume is?”
Luigsech held a hand up to him. “Hold it a minute. That scepter has been missin’ since the late 1700s. No one has any idea where it is.”
Daegan turned to her. “What scepter do we discuss?”
The lass quickly explained, “A famous piece that had originally been part of the French Crown Jewels in the seventh century. It was stolen while you were out of pocket at TÅμr Medb.”
Out of pocket. A strange way to describe what he had gone through.
Zeelindar sounded pleased. “Your knowledge of this treasure will aid you in locating the scepter.”
Luigsech politely argued, “Knowledge is one thing. Do you have any idea how many have searched for that scepter since it disappeared?”
Daegan asked, “Where was it stolen from, lass?”
“The Basilica of Saint Denis.” She sounded crushed when she turned back to the oracle. “Why not ask for the Holy Grail?”
Lights flashed brightly through the room.
Luigsech cringed toward Daegan and covered her eyes. He wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders and glared at the oracle. Hair lifted across his arms.
Ruadh made unhappy noises. The growl climbed Daegan’s throat and pushed out. He could have stopped it, but he did not care for this oracle frightening Luigsech.
The lights settled back into a soft pulsing, but he would be a fool to think the calming had anything to do with his displeasure.
Zeelindar waited until Luigsech sat up again and Daegan removed his arm before the oracle spoke. “No human will find the scepter.”
Daegan asked, “Why?” But he had an idea of the oracle’s answer.
“If a human could enter the current resting place of the scepter, that person would not survive.”
“That doesn’t sound promisin’,” Luigsech muttered. “Could take years to find that place.”
“Not true.” Zeelindar moved her head one way then the other. “You will receive the specific location. You must open a gateway once there.”
Daegan realized what she might be explaining. “Are ya sayin’ this scepter is inside another world or realm?”
The oracle nodded slowly.
He had new concerns. “Are ya also sayin’ ya expect us to find this scepter and deliver it to ya before ya will aid us in gainin’ the grimoire? I have no time for treasure huntin’ with people dyin’.”
Luigsech gasped and grabbed his arm. “Daegan!”
“What? I speak the truth.”
Zeelindar’s voice dropped to a gravely sound. “Have you not realized I have already aided you?”
Luigsech’s eyebrows drew together tight. She flicked her gaze to the oracle. “Is it possible ... a grimoire volume is in th
e same place as the scepter?”
“Clever child.” Zeelindar murmured the compliment as if surprised.
Well, hell. Luigsech had a strong mind for riddles.
“Fail to bring me the scepter and you lose all hope of finding three volumes. When you deliver the scepter, I will answer your next question.”
Daegan said, “If we find this volume, ya have aided us plenty. We would not impose on ya again.”
“You will wish for another answer,” Zeelindar claimed with authority. “Do not think to talk around delivering the scepter. Speak your truth, dragon.”
His eyes must have given him away when she raised his ire. “Are ya sendin’ us to steal from someone?”
Luigsech gave his hand a little squeeze of thanks. She must have had the same worry about this scepter.
“The scepter was stolen from a king. When you hand this treasure to me, I will return it to the rightful owner.”
That being the case, the king was long dead if he had been human as it sounded.
Daegan had another hundred questions, such as why the scepter was in the same location as the grimoire. Had she only agreed to help because she had her eye on a treasure? Or would the grimoire not be there and they’d end up delivering the scepter to gain the real answer to their question?
Luigsech spoke up. “Sounds like we have another trip ahead of us. We appreciate you speakin’ to us when you had no reason to beyond our request.”
The oracle turned to her. “I have been expecting you since the two of you met.”
Chill bumps lifted on Luigsech’s arm.
Daegan made a note to avoid unnecessary thoughts around the oracle.
Zeelindar announced, “You must go to the Land of Hadrianna. It is a world within a world. To gain the scepter and grimoire, you must find a way past the satyrs. Upon entry, you will be shown three hallways and must proceed without hesitation. On the way to finding the scepter, you will pass the room of chronicles. Once you take possession of the scepter, you will see the Immortuos Arca in the next second. You will gain what you wish. You will lose what you gain.”
What. The. Hell? Daegan hoped they were not being sent on a fool’s journey. On second thought, that might describe the trip to this place.
“How do we find this world?” Luigsech asked.
